President advice to officers not to worry about money and help Meethotamulla
affected people

President advice to officers not to worry about money and help
Meethotamulla affected people

[April 17 2017]

President advised officials give fullest assistance to
the people affected by the landslide of Meethotamulla garbage dump
without any worries about fund availability.

The President stated this while participating at a
special discussion today (April 16) held at the Ministry of Disaster
Management.

Main focus of this discussion was to move the garbage
mountain to another area immediately.

Furthermore, President Sirisena instructed the
officials to take immediate steps to evacuate the people in the area and
provide safe please for them.

During the discussion, it was decided to evacuate the
people into temporary shelters at 3 paddy warehouses currently available
in the area. The President also instructed officials to provide all
basic requirements on these people.

It was also discussed the steps needed to ensure the
safety of their belongings and properties. The President ordered the
officials to make a proper assessment and establish a proper security
system to protect the goods and properties of the evacuated people.

They also discussed about the need for payment of
compensation to the victims and the families and for their lost or
damaged properties. The President asked the officials to submit a list
of victims, injured numbers and the value of their damaged properties
within five days.

The steps necessary for providing relief to the
affected people, resettlement and continuation of search and rescue
operations were also discussed.

Furthermore, the President advised them to do this all
things and ensure that there would not be any complaint from the
peoples.

With regard to the number of deaths in this disaster,
the President instructed that the government should take the full
responsibility of arranging funerals for the victims. He also said that
similar meetings should be held at least thrice a week. The next meeting
will be held on Wednesday (April 19) at the Ministry of Disaster
Management.